England have played disciplined and controlled football to beat Samoa 30-10 in the third match of the Test triple header in Campbelltown.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
England 30
Samoa 10
England takes on Samoa at Campbelltown Stadium as part of the Representative Round. Join The Roar for live scores, commentary and debate from 7:30pm (AEST).
This is only the third Test ever played between the two nations, with England having won both matches to date. But Samoa gave the Poms a scare in their last match in the 2014 Four Nations tournament, only going down by six points.
There are seven current NRL players in the English squad and all are forwards – the Burgess brothers (Sam and Tom), James Graham, Elliott Whitehead, Chris Heighington, Josh Hodgson and Chris McQueen. McQueen is making his Test debut tonight.
They’ll be joined by experienced campaigner and captain Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan), giving England the stronger pack on paper.
St George playmaker Gareth Widdop is unavailable for England for this Test due to his knee injury.
The Samoan team is full of current NRL players, but they have a comparatively less experienced forward pack.
They’ll need to step up and match England in the middle, and hope the likes of Anthony Milford and Joey Leilua can spark their backline attack.
This is the fifth year of the annual Pacific Rugby League Test round and Samoa has established a winning record.
After losing to Tonga in 2013, they’ve since had three wins, beating Fiji in 2014 and gaining their revenge on Tonga in both 2015 and 2016.
They’ll be looking to continue that winning form tonight against a strong English side.
Prediction
England by 7.
Join The Roar at 7:30pm AEST for live score updates, commentary and debate in our live blog.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Oh, I agree about England's halves. But really, if they can find a combination that is stable and can be relied upon to get a good kicking game and so on, then I think that they can still do well. I think Foran and Johnson are an incredible pairing and somewhat disagree about just how far Thurston and Cronk are ahead of them. Foran and Johnson have won many times against Thurston and Cronk and when they have, the New Zealand forwards have rampaged through the roof. Which I suppose kind of defeats my argument as Thurston and Cronk can still conjure up something when their forwards don't dominate. Wait, Australia has often lost when their forwards haven't dominated so maybe Thurston and Cronk are still not all that far ahead of Foran and Johnson. Oh bugger, my head is exploding thinking about this. Uhm, I hope Widdop plays well.
Pickett
Guest
England's problem is NSW and NZ's. They dont have the 6 and 7 to match Thurston and Cronk. Widdop, Johnson and Foran are great players in their own right but not up there. Maloney likewise but he has beaten Qld halves in GF's and he'll take much confidence from that. If NSW were to win this year, it will be on the back of Maloney.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Bennett knows what works and he was right about England. They'e got more than enough talent. What they haven't had was the belief and the discipline. Tonight's match, I feel, showed their discipline and the belief in what Bennett is selling them. Samoa didn't pose all that much of a threat tonight but in saying that, England kept their composure and didn't try to score in each set. Some very good signs from England, me thinks. Hopefully they will make the World Cup final and, yes, win.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I suspect that Bennett wanted England to do certain things in this match. The players may have achieved what it is he wanted them to do. If this discipline and control remains, it is not hard to see England making the final.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Should ease a bit of pressure on him after the criticism he copped over there with some of his team selections.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Thanks for joining me on tonight’s coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave your comments on the game.
Pickett
Guest
Sounds like Bennett's fingerprints are all over this-stingy defence, minimal errors...dont give them a sniff.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Scott. Yes Samoa were disappointing, hopefully they will learn a few lessons from tonight. Their attack was very disjointed and their kicking game let them down as well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tough night for Samoa. They have a lot to do if they are going to be competitive at the world cup. England not fantastic either, but they will get it into gear in November. Cheers for the call John.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Full-time Good try from the big winger McGillvary chasing through a Kevin Brown chip kick. The hooter sounds as Gale’s conversion attempt hits the upright and is unsuccessful. It’s victory for England! England 30 Samoa 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
79’ Try!! England - McGillvary England 30 Samoa 10 Kick to come
John Coomer
Roar Guru
77’ Anthony Milford called back for a forward pass, England scrum feed 10 metres out from their own line. England 26 Samoa 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
76’ Penalty Samoa 10 metres out. They take the tap. England 26 Samoa 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
75’ Soft close range try there for James Graham, the Samoans’ line defence was poor. Gale converts. England 26 Samoa 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
74’ Try!! (England) – James Graham England 24 Samoa 10 Kick to come.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
73’ Samoa lose it early in the count! England with the ball 10 metres out! England 20 Samoa 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
72’ Samoa back in possession, working it out from their own territory. England 20 Samoa 10
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Kicking game all night has been poor, it has cost them.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
71’ Penalty to England, they’ll take the tap near halfway. England 20 Samoa 10
Scott Pryde
Expert
That was a really ordinary kick from Samoa. They need points here.